Aftermarket Headlights. Anyone have these? Thoughts?

Bmw1939 · 12-04-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

Eye lids:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/09-11-BMW-E...-127632-2357-0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fibe...-127632-2357-0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-2006-11...-127632-2357-0

Low and high beam LED bulbs
H7 LED Bulb, CAR ROVER 50W 10000Lumens Extremely Bright 6000K CSP Chips Conversion Kit, Halogen Replacement https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQBWR5F...ing=UTF8&psc=1

The slickmods were ok, but started to bubble on me.

I had some of the thicker carbon fiber covers but some areas bubbled as well, adhesive related. Didn't seem to really stick. What application method works best?

I may try those H7s. Good match with lux?

Anyone have a good method for filling pit marks? The 3M wipe on clearcoat?

Serf27 · 12-04-2021, 02:53 PM

My e70 has actual carbon fiber eyelids and I used double sided tape to stick them on. They’ve been on for like a year with no issues.

If you buy eyelids that come with some double side tape, don’t use it. The tape never works that comes with parts, use 3M tape.

The bulbs should fit well. I had them when I had blue led bulbs in my old halogens.

For you lights, they probably need some heavy sanding to smooth out the plastic and then some clear coat on the top.

Bmw1939 · 12-04-2021, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

My e70 has actual carbon fiber eyelids and I used double sided tape to stick them on. They’ve been on for like a year with no issues.

If you buy eyelids that come with some double side tape, don’t use it. The tape never works that comes with parts, use 3M tape.

The bulbs should fit well. I had them when I had blue led bulbs in my old halogens.

For you lights, they probably need some heavy sanding to smooth out the plastic and then some clear coat on the top.

Cover every inch of the eyelid with 3M and use a razor on the edges I assume?

Serf27 · 12-04-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw1939

Cover every inch of the eyelid with 3M and use a razor on the edges I assume?

I only did the edges, but you could do all of it.
And yea, use a new sharp blade and trim it at an angle so the tape isn’t that noticeable.

JonOhh · 12-04-2021, 07:51 PM

Also, something I didn't mention before, but that is very valid (IMO) is that many aftermarket head and tail lights do not meet highway code. It's easy to underestimate the importance of all of that regulation until you witness it firsthand in a number of dangerous situations. For aftermarket headlights that are simply modified "bedazzled" versions of the stock units, with the OEM headlight projector/reflector, with the addition of different halos or differently colored surfaces, that is usually not a concern...but with fully aftermarket units, they often do not meet the standards for beam cutoff and shape. Some even use the same projector for the left and right sides, despite the two sides of the vehicle often needing a very different beam pattern to not blind other drivers. In a best case scenario for the driver, they seem to illuminate the road well, but blind other drivers unnecessarily (and waste lighting power on places that do not need it).

If you've driven in front of or behind a jeep with any form of cheap aftermarket lights ( and even some expensive ones) you'll witness firsthand how dangerous it can be when the strict regulation regarding automotive lighting isn't followed.

I can't tell you how many times I've passed jeeps with aftermarket taillights in stop and go traffic because it's easier to read the Rosetta Stone than figure out if the brake lights are on or not, only to be absolutely blinded by two suns once I get in front of them (much of this could be down to improper adjustment, but often it is clear the beam cutoff is quite poor as well). It's made me very thankful for the auto-dimming mirrors, put it that way.

I'm not saying the examples in this thread are or are not acceptable, but it's a much-needed reminder about the importance of automotive lighting... a LOT of work and money goes into the design and testing of automotive lights to make them optimal for the driver and others on the road...and it's that way for a reason.

EDIT:
Man, when I post from my PC I don't realize the absolute wall of text I conjure up. Oops.

Dx11 · 12-06-2021, 02:26 PM

Took some pictures. Factory xenon + angel eyes:

Angel eyes only:

I'm honestly wondering how you see any yellow, or any uneven output here.

bmw335ie90 · 12-06-2021, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dx11

Took some pictures. Factory xenon + angel eyes:

Angel eyes only:

I'm honestly wondering how you see any yellow, or any uneven output here.

Those look like e92 lci headlights which are a different design than e90. The e92 lci headlights are very impressive and use high power LEDs to power each ring directly resulting in very good lighting.

E90 lci xenon use the same "celis" technology I have on my e39 from 20 years ago. The lighting on e90 lci xenon headlights are very uneven and don't look good without the headlight projector on. I have Lux angel eyes and its the same story. I actually shut off my angel eyes as drls and use my fog lights instead because it just looks kinda dumb and broken.

Dx11 · 12-06-2021, 02:59 PM

This is an e93. I didn't know e90/e92/e93 all have different angel eyes. Strange decision by BMW.

Serf27 · 12-06-2021, 03:41 PM

Yea that’s an e92/3 light.
The e90 pre lci xenon and lci halogen use similar rings and are very close to being evenly lit.
I’m not sure with happened to the lci xenon but it looks bad. Like mentioned above, it looks broken if you’re into Bmw. To someone else, probably looks normal. If you sit another car and look at the halos, they don’t look tooooooo bad. But any higher angle and they are very uneven.
Looks like it’s an issue with pre lci e92/3 too.

Dx11 · 12-06-2021, 03:42 PM

I think the E90 got the LCI changes before the E92 and E93 did. So maybe they found those lights in between those times.

Bmw1939 · 12-07-2021, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

Eye lids:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/09-11-BMW-E...-127632-2357-0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fibe...-127632-2357-0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-2006-11...-127632-2357-0

Low and high beam LED bulbs
H7 LED Bulb, CAR ROVER 50W 10000Lumens Extremely Bright 6000K CSP Chips Conversion Kit, Halogen Replacement https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQBWR5F...ing=UTF8&psc=1

For those H7 leds. Can the resistor cord fit in the housing? Where does it go? Also, is it dangerously bright to oncoming traffic? I 've read this can be a problem. Thanks.

Serf27 · 12-07-2021, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw1939

For those H7 leds. Can the resistor cord fit in the housing? Where does it go? Also, is it dangerously bright to oncoming traffic? I 've read this can be a problem. Thanks.

I was able to fit the resistors in the housing with the bulb.

I don’t know about the brightness. No one ever flashed me when coming towards me.

12-04-2021, 02:53 PM	#24
Serf27 Brigadier General 2850 Rep 4,322 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	My e70 has actual carbon fiber eyelids and I used double sided tape to stick them on. They’ve been on for like a year with no issues. If you buy eyelids that come with some double side tape, don’t use it. The tape never works that comes with parts, use 3M tape. The bulbs should fit well. I had them when I had blue led bulbs in my old halogens. For you lights, they probably need some heavy sanding to smooth out the plastic and then some clear coat on the top.
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12-04-2021, 07:51 PM	#27
JonOhh Captain 672 Rep 733 Posts Drives: 06' 330i Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [10.00] 2013 Fiat 500c Abarth [0.00] 1985 Fiat/Bertone X1/9 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	Also, something I didn't mention before, but that is very valid (IMO) is that many aftermarket head and tail lights do not meet highway code. It's easy to underestimate the importance of all of that regulation until you witness it firsthand in a number of dangerous situations. For aftermarket headlights that are simply modified "bedazzled" versions of the stock units, with the OEM headlight projector/reflector, with the addition of different halos or differently colored surfaces, that is usually not a concern...but with fully aftermarket units, they often do not meet the standards for beam cutoff and shape. Some even use the same projector for the left and right sides, despite the two sides of the vehicle often needing a very different beam pattern to not blind other drivers. In a best case scenario for the driver, they seem to illuminate the road well, but blind other drivers unnecessarily (and waste lighting power on places that do not need it). If you've driven in front of or behind a jeep with any form of cheap aftermarket lights ( and even some expensive ones) you'll witness firsthand how dangerous it can be when the strict regulation regarding automotive lighting isn't followed. I can't tell you how many times I've passed jeeps with aftermarket taillights in stop and go traffic because it's easier to read the Rosetta Stone than figure out if the brake lights are on or not, only to be absolutely blinded by two suns once I get in front of them (much of this could be down to improper adjustment, but often it is clear the beam cutoff is quite poor as well). It's made me very thankful for the auto-dimming mirrors, put it that way. I'm not saying the examples in this thread are or are not acceptable, but it's a much-needed reminder about the importance of automotive lighting... a LOT of work and money goes into the design and testing of automotive lights to make them optimal for the driver and others on the road...and it's that way for a reason. EDIT: Man, when I post from my PC I don't realize the absolute wall of text I conjure up. Oops. Last edited by JonOhh; 12-04-2021 at 10:12 PM..
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12-06-2021, 02:26 PM	#28
Dx11 Lieutenant 222 Rep 488 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Took some pictures. Factory xenon + angel eyes: Angel eyes only: I'm honestly wondering how you see any yellow, or any uneven output here.
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12-06-2021, 02:59 PM	#30
Dx11 Lieutenant 222 Rep 488 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	This is an e93. I didn't know e90/e92/e93 all have different angel eyes. Strange decision by BMW.
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12-06-2021, 03:41 PM	#31
Serf27 Brigadier General 2850 Rep 4,322 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Yea that’s an e92/3 light. The e90 pre lci xenon and lci halogen use similar rings and are very close to being evenly lit. I’m not sure with happened to the lci xenon but it looks bad. Like mentioned above, it looks broken if you’re into Bmw. To someone else, probably looks normal. If you sit another car and look at the halos, they don’t look tooooooo bad. But any higher angle and they are very uneven. Looks like it’s an issue with pre lci e92/3 too. Attached Images
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12-06-2021, 03:42 PM	#32
Dx11 Lieutenant 222 Rep 488 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I think the E90 got the LCI changes before the E92 and E93 did. So maybe they found those lights in between those times.
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